Talisker Distillers Edition

My bottle is marked 2003/2014. I have a genuine fondness for these special Editions. This one is altogether a treat, though not as much of one as the Lagavulin DE, at least to my taste (but it's so close). I opened it yesterday, nosed it a good while and then had a little taste to whet the appetite and begin the appreciation and review process. I did compose one but held off on putting it here. I'm glad I did since sometimes those first impressions are the whole story and sometimes not. Stephanie is right. This is a confection, as the top line of the glass swirl begins to drip a myriad of thin legs and forms little arches like icing on a Holiday cake. The nosing to me reveals a honeyed, fruity, and peaty scent with slight iodine, smoke, orange and clove. On the tongue it is oily, briny, and light in body as per the thin legs produced in the glass. In the mouth, a medium smoky sweetness mixes with peaty goodness and it's off to the races to a superb and lengthy peat finish. This is the kind of peat experience I like best, much different than say, Laphroaig. A reasonable pour can last me a good while with this style and character profile. When one considers all of the attributes contained in this whisky, and as a comparison here in PA, offered at a 25% discount over the Laga DE, it is a remarkable achievement ... really well done. This is a very smooth drinking whisky and well crafted. If it had more of the irrepressible smoked meat of the Lagavulin DE, it would likely be it's equal, if not superior. But things being what they are, at least for me, it is not. But then again, it needn't be and shouldn't be, as it is quite fine as it is. Superb and 4.5 stars. I will look to purchase every year. $75 USD in PA